07-11-06

The European Commission says it has signed an agreement on energy partnership with Azerbaijan.
Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso announced the accord after talks in Brussels with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

"The implementation of the memorandum of understanding on energy will allow achieving a better integration of Azerbaijan into European Union energy markets," Barroso said.
"It will strengthen European Union energy security. Thanks to supplies from the Caspian Basin, it will allow the development of more efficient energy-demand management in Azerbaijan and also the exchange of expertise."

The EU, which relies heavily on oil and gas imports, has sought to diversify supplies since a gas-pricing row between Russia and Ukraine briefly disrupted deliveries to Europe at the beginning of this year.
Barroso said he also raised the EU's concerns over democracy and human rights in Azerbaijan during his talks with Aliyev.